One important aspect of working out (that I am guilty of skipping at times!) is a quality warm up. I know how important it is, yet I still find myself griping about “wasting” ten minutes to complete a proper one. If you’re like me, this post is for both of us. It’s about time we get our act together and get our warm up on.
When I do complete a proper warm up, I’m always glad I did. Below are my tips for building the perfect warm up for you!
Get Your Roll On
One important component of a great warm up is self-myofascial release. The simplest way to do this is by using a foam roller. I like to refer to these as tools of death that you can purchase almost anywhere. While this portion of your warm up can be a little painful, it’s certainly an awesome way to prepare your muscles for work. Foam rolling works by removing the “knots” in your muscles. By applying pressure to these tight areas, you will relieve tension, improve blood flow, and help your body prepare for movement.
Stretch it Out
I wouldn’t say that I practice yoga regularly, but I do incorporate yoga-based moves into my warm-up. I don’t necessarily enjoy boring old static stretching, but I can definitely get behind moves that make me feel like a total yogi. Moves like Cat-Cow, Down Dog, Forward Bend, and Pigeon are perfect for preparing your entire body for a workout. I always have tight hamstrings, so I have to do a few bends before I get started or I’ll regret it shortly thereafter. If you don’t incorporate this type of stretching into your routine, I highly suggest it!
Practice Makes Perfect
One of my favorite parts about warming up is getting to the functional moves. This portion of my warm up tends to change throughout the week, because it’s based on my actual workout. If I’m working my lower body, I’ll do some squat jumps and other non-weighted leg moves to prepare for all of the weight bearing moves later. I love this part because basically I can jump around like a fool, but claim it’s a super smart warm up routine. Which, in reality, it is! Performing movements that mimic my future workout helps increase my core body temperature, prepares my muscles and joints for specific movements and ranges of motion, and can reduce the risk of me getting hurt. I’m all about that.
Have any tips on creating the best warm up possible? Leave them below!
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